1.3 cdti or 1.5 dci

[MackemPete]

Looking for a 3k runabout that will do 60mpg+. Thinking either a panda\corsa with the 1.3 cdti multi jet, whatever they call it in this car or something with the 1.5dci in, be it clio, megane or Micra. Interested in any feedback regarding reliability and economy of these two lumps in various small cars.
Thanks
Pete

[shake n bake]

I have the 1.5 dci in my megane and it's a great little engine.
If I cane it everywhere I get 43 mpg, when Lara drives it she gets 54mpg.
Compared to a few other cars in our fleet this one is noticeably quicker but noisier, I guess it depends how they are run in.
The 1.3 cdti in comparison is a lot slower, no better on fuel and comes wrapped in vauxhall blandness.

[MackemPete]

I'm surprised the mpg is that low. I thought you would be pushing 60.

[Snollygoster]

Isn't a runabout for short journeys? Diesel?

[MackemPete]

60 miles a day. Maybe runabout is an understatement

[mike9009]

We have the 1.5DCI engine in our Nissan Note (wifes car)

I am really impressed with it. My missus gets 64.5mpg pootling around the Isle of Wight. Best I have managed on an economy run is 67mpg but normally I get about 60mpg.

It does not use any oil. Once moving you cannot hear the engine. It is fine for motorway work.

No reliability issues.


Mike

[4lf4-155]

Had the 1.3cdti in a 10 plate Astra for just over a year.

55mpg average across heavy urban or motorway miles.

Did 30k miles trouble free in that time

[Jazoli]

Do not buy a 1.3 cdti Vauxhall, they are gutless, unrefined, noisy and not very economical, the wife has had 2 corsa's as company cars over the last 3 years and they have been utter ste, they take forever to warm up and are generally rubbish.

A small 1.2/3/4 petrol will offer similar economy, be a lot more refined and quieter and have no issues with dpf's.

The Renault 1.5 dci isn't a bad engine compared to the boat anchor in the Vauxhall.

[Who me ?]

How about one of the VAG group 1.4TDI- Skoda/SEAT/POLO .I've got a FABIA 1.4TDI and I get 50+ mpg around town and on open roads/Motorway, without bothering about economy. It's a PD engine on the pre 2007 models ,so no DPF to worry about. I got mine as I was doing about 15-20k /year, before I retired and it's now down to about 6k .Torque means town driving is easy as 20 in 3rd is above lower end of range. On country lanes, it loves bends and the turbo is almost lagless meaning power when you ask.

[ED209]

mike9009 said:

We have the 1.5DCI engine in our Nissan Note (wifes car)

I am really impressed with it. My missus gets 64.5mpg pootling around the Isle of Wight. Best I have managed on an economy run is 67mpg but normally I get about 60mpg.

It does not use any oil. Once moving you cannot hear the engine. It is fine for motorway work.

No reliability issues.


Mike

I cannot understand why anyone on the Isle of Wight would drive a diesel? (unless you commuted via mainland motorways daily)

[ferrariF50lover]

I have a 1.5, 65bhp dCi Clio and it's a perfectly acceptable engine. I'd have killed myself if I'd bought a new one, but for £500, you can't go wrong. Ours sits in dreadful traffic for 20 miles and goes along the motorway at 70 for the other 40 and, in these circumstances, does 55 to the gallon. Without the traffic, it does almost 70. Tax is £30. Insurance is pennies too. Excellent value motoring.

Simon.

[AM7]

I'd highly advise against a 1.3cdti, I learned in a Corsa equipped with that engine and it was terrible. It felt underpowered, rough and unrefined and it sounded like the pistons were going to blast through the bonnet at anything over 2500rpm...

To set the scene, I was coming down a slip road about to join a dual carrigeway, instructor tells me I really need to gain some speed and I swiftly confirm that my foot is actually on the floor

[MackemPete]

Thanks for the feedback gents. I'll do some more digging into clios. The negative comments on the 1.3 cdti seem to be against heavier cars. In the 900kg panda it might be ok?

Any comments on reliability, as in my budget big bills could wipe out savings (one of the reason I'm steering away from PSA hdis)

[ruggedscotty]

1.3cdti = fiat

anything related to fiat....... hmmmm

[ferrariF50lover]

MackemPete said:

Thanks for the feedback gents. I'll do some more digging into clios. The negative comments on the 1.3 cdti seem to be against heavier cars. In the 900kg panda it might be ok?

Any comments on reliability, as in my budget big bills could wipe out savings (one of the reason I'm steering away from PSA hdis)

We bought ours with a blown injector seal. Cost £40 to replace (at a garage, I didn't do it myself). Throughout its life, ours has had a pretty tough time and seems to have been serviced according to the 18,000 mile interval schedule, yet it starts first time, every time, returns the aforementioned economy and will happily do 70 (and unhappily do 90).

Simon.

[Depthhoar]

Got the 1.3cdti engine in our Vauxhall Combo van.

It's had new glow plugs, new egr valve, new dpf & new alternator. This engine is supposed to eat timing chains but only if low quality oil & filters are used in an extended drain service cycle (the filter falls to bits and blocks critical oilways starving the chain of proper lubrication). Sump holds a tiny 3.2 litres of oil so oil change interval ought to be be frequent but Vauxhall say 20k miles, or every year. Ours is on the original timing chain at 125k miles having had 10k mile lube changes.

Returns 50-55mpg and is not an unpleasant drive (caveat: we're talking small vans here) but you're always aware that this is the world's smallest 4 cylinder mass production turbo diesel engine when launched in 2003, so plenty of gear changing needed to make progress in give-and-take driving.

Edited by Depthhoar on Sunday 16th November 16:50

Edited by Depthhoar on Sunday 16th November 16:51

[jagracer]

My wife has a 1.5dci in a 2004 clio. The engine is fine, it's some of the bits bolted on that give trouble although if you get a later one most things are modified. The only major problem has been a new set of injectors at 140K miles. She gets 68mpg commuting although due to the gearing it does drop to low 60s or high 50s if you push much above 70 on a motorway. Tax is £30 for her 65bhp version but I think it is zero for the 85 and 105 bhp engines. one other thing is the egr valve clogs up (It's had two at £100 each) but that's more down to her driving style I think

[mike9009]

ED209 said:

I cannot understand why anyone on the Isle of Wight would drive a diesel? (unless you commuted via mainland motorways daily)

Good question. She wanted
1) Cheap tax (£30/annum)
2) Cheap fuel costs (65mpg)
3) Enough poke on the motorway to give her confidence driving to her parents in Tamworth
4) Reliability, so far it has been fine.
5) Cheap insurance (£156 this year including business mileage)
6) Cope with commute between Ryde and Newport (approx. 10 miles)
7) My missus keeps cars for many, many years (approx. 7 years each car she has owned)

Any issues with her choice of car? Are Diesels only recommended for motorways? I would also question your question as the island has a huge farming community so diesel is fairly popular over here!!


Mike